IDF Young Leaders in Diabetes

The IDF Young Leaders in Diabetes (YLD) Programme aims to empower young people living with diabetes to become advocates for themselves and others living with diabetes worldwide. In the words of Dr Dario Rahelić, Chair of the YLD Programme since February 2016:

“Diabetes strikes particularly people in the younger age group, including children, becoming a threat to the health and prosperity of our society and the generations to come. IDF is a respectable institution dedicated to improve early identification of diabetes, health literacy and self-care. The vision to live in a world without diabetes includes honesty, compassion, integrity, solidarity, creativity, cultural sensitivity, collaboration and humility. Our culture is in need of Young Leaders that are willing, not to just silence the alarm with quick fixes, but to sustain a lasting change in the world we live in. We need Young Leaders that build others up.

The real challenge for the IDF YLD Programme is to be a voice for young people affected by diabetes, as well as support and educate YLD Candidates in the international diabetes community. We cannot give to others without being affected positively ourselves. And this is the secret of giving: when we make the world better for others, you make the world better for ourselves."

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of over 230 national diabetes associations in 170 countries and territories. It represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes and those at risk. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950.